Manhattan has a lot of beer bars, but it’s thin on breweries. I suppose you could go to Heartland Brewery, but I doubt you’d be sad if you skipped it. Alphabet City Brewing Company in the East Village is a viable option, as is the microbrewery at Eataly’s La Birreria if you’re near Flatiron. Truth is, you can do better. If you’re looking for some of New York City’s best beer, these three Big Apple breweries should be on your must-visit list.
Other Half Brewing Company
195 Centre St, Brooklyn
If not for the long lines on can-release days or the few customers holding empty growlers on the sidewalk on normal days, you might walk past Other Half. The lacquered black building’s sole marking is only visible when the shutters are lifted, revealing lettering on the glass portion of the door. It’s charmingly dingy on the inside, too, with a tasting room decked out in odd knickknacks, including a stuffed moose head. You can enjoy fresh draft beer here, despite its garage-like size, and it’s inexpensive to enjoy a taster or a pint. Don’t pass up their IPAs; grab a growler to-go; if you’re lucky, they’ll have cans and bottles available.
The Bronx Brewery
856 E 136th St, Bronx
Depending on where you are in Westchester, this is an easy bar to get to, whether you’re driving or taking public transportation. Just take the 6, three stops uptown from Harlem-125th Street, and your cellphone’s GPS can surely handle the sub-half-mile walk from there. The Bronx Brewery is solid all around; they brew damn good beer, including seasonals and limited editions, and the space itself is a highlight. They have a big backyard area, complete with table games and cornhole, and if you go on the right day, there’s live music to jam to and food trucks to help you soak up the suds (you’re also allowed to bring in your own grub), and it’s dog-friendly. You could spend the day here.
SingleCut Beersmiths
19-33 37th St, Astoria
Softly Spoken Magic Spells, Some Cat From Japan, and Workers Are Going Home are lyrics from Pink Floyd, David Bowie, and Weezer songs, respectively, but they’re also beers. Others are named after musical parts, because these guys simply like music. The space has an industrial feel, with plenty of communal seating inside and out. At any given time, you’ll find around 10–12 beers on tap, occasional live music, and a menu of smoked meats, tacos, and pretzels from Salt & Bone. Beer to-go isn’t cheap (cans go for about $20 per four-pack), but they’re making some of the best brews in NYC and beyond.